Offended Singer Deserves Ovation For Her Response

To understand the difference between a lady and a leech, look at Denise Beumer. She's a lady.

If Beumer had been a leech, she'd have filed a high-dollar lawsuit claiming the Maitland Pops Orchestra and Chorus cost her a chance at stardom.

But that kind of thing only happens when you're trying to grandstand.

Beumer has quietly accepted an apology from the Maitland City Council -- needed words to mend the breach after Maitland Pops musical director Dale Burke insisted the chorus sing a song that offended Beumer.

That song was "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody." Never heard of it, but I read the lyrics referring to "Mammy" and "Old Black Joe." They're old-school words, yet they don't bother me. But I hold no monopoly on what offends black people.

Beumer's gripe is legitimate -- the way she dealt with the situation is laudatory.

Instead of rolling around on the ground and trying to shut down the Maitland Pops, Beumer is taking her apology and moving on. She's not demanding anything from Burke, isn't screaming for her solo soprano spot. The city's gesture is good enough.

"I don't believe in punishing everyone for the wrong of a few," she said.

Beumer can sing in her church choir. Some of the older members of Maitland Pops -- who apologized to her, by the way -- don't have other venues, so Beumer stepped down from the group without a big fuss.

"That's part of my Christian faith," she said. "I look past me."

This is new and different in our litigious society of courtroom TV shows, this era of milking a matter to the hilt.

Beumer's stance has made Maitland Pops accountable to the city from which it receives money. Just as important, appreciate how this lady voiced an issue of skin color without abusing the race card. There is a difference.

Consider two famous Kings:

Martin Luther King Jr., the civil-rights trailblazer, is famous for the words "I have a dream." We recognize his birth date every January with a federal holiday. Though rumors circulated about extramarital affairs and plagiarizing both speeches and portions of his doctoral dissertation, we generally remember MLK for his positive contribution to society.

Then there's Rodney King. He also uttered famous words: "Can't we all just get along?" Plus, we remember the April 29 anniversary when four white police officers were acquitted in 1992 of beating King the year before. It sparked the Los Angeles riots.

However, in the 10 years since, Rodney King has been caught driving while drunk more than once. One time, he was high on PCP, and the man did some jail time.

Oh, MLK went to jail, too, but it was for meaningful protests.

Rodney King was locked up on hit-and-run charges. This is the same Rodney King who won a $3.8 million settlement from the police beating.

It means the apology Beumer accepted is worth more than financial reparations. Either you're about something or you're not. Money only brings out who you really are. If you were a fool before you got paid, you'll just be a rich fool afterward.

MLK was about opportunities. Rodney King has reduced himself to an opportunist.

Because of the way she modestly handled herself in a world that expects otherwise, Denise Beumer, gratefully, is outside the box.